Some of Lynch Bages`s tell-tale cedary, black currant, earth and spice characteristics are present in the 2012`s moderately intense bouquet. This wine exhibits good purity, a healthy dark ruby/purple color and medium body. There is a slight deficiency in the mid-palate, but it recovers sufficiently and offers up a decent finish that tails off ever so slightly. This good to excellent wine could use more fat and charm in the mid-section. Cellar it for a couple of years and drink it over the following 12-14 years. 87-89 points

Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Lynch Bages 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 12th and 18th October and is being raised in 75% new oak just before the rains. It has a very attractive bouquet with crisp blackberry, sous-bois and graphite aromas that are very controlled. No frills here, but it does not need them. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins and again, crisp acidity. I like the line here – nicely focused with a grainy finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2013. 90-92 points

Lovely deep, intense colour. Fruity, ripe, fresh and quite elegant nose. Dense from the very outset, quite ample in the middle and even powerful as it develops, this very flavoursome wine with its very Pauillac style evolves to become juicy and deep with taste, slightly angular tannins, but still flavoursome. This is a great achievement. 92 points

This wine contains the lowest percentage of Cabernet at Lynch since 1994, reflecting the tricky growing conditions in the Medoc. This is still a pretty serious wine, mind you. The oak is a little intrusive, but it’s still a classic Pauillac with notes of green pepper, blackcurrant and graphite and densely packed tannins. Drink. 2022-35. 93 points